NCAA Week 5 picks

With no hurricanes threatening the southeast coast, we can finally enjoy a weekend full of games.  Well, we'll enjoy them if our favorite teams win.  If we have as many upsets and near misses as last week, some people may not be enjoying this weekend as much as others.

Thurs Sept 28
#19 Texas Longhorns at Iowa State Cyclones: Texas has had a nice break, now it's time to see if they are truly back or if they had one dynamic game.  I think they'll get past the Cyclones, but Iowa State will likely play them tough at home.  This will be a close game that will put a scare into Tom Herman.  TEXAS

Fri Sept 29
Miami Hurricanes at Duke Blue Devils:  Duke is a strong team that most national analysts are overlooking because they are not a traditional powerhouse.  Miami just has not been impressive, not even against their FCS opponent.  I like Duke to surprise here.  DUKE

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini:  Nebraska's offense finally showed some life last week, but was that only because they were playing Rutgers?  Illinois' defense didn't look so good against South Florida, but their offense is pretty good this season.  Even if the Illini defense doesn't perk up, can Nebraska's tepid offense match scores with the Illini?  I'm thinking not.  ILLINOIS

#11 USC Trojans at #17 Washington State Cougars:  This may be the second most interesting match-up of the weekend, and we get it late night (10:45PM East Coast time).  I don't think I'll be able to stay awake for all of it, as exciting as USC can be in the second half.  Washington State will likely take the early lead, but can they hold back another thrilling USC comeback?  The Trojans have been masters at that this season, but something tells me the home crowd touch, as well as some great special teams play by the Cougars, will allow them to barely squeak by.  WASHINGTON STATE in the upset

Sat Sept 30
Ole Miss Rebels at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide:  After what we saw against Vanderbilt last week, can any SEC team stop the Tide?  Given that the SEC seems a bit down this season, I don't think so.  ALABAMA

#2 Clemson Tigers at #8 Virginia Tech Hokies:  And here's probably the MOST interesting matchup of the weekend!  Clemson's defense is probably the toughest in the FBS, and they come roaring into the home of the Hokies' high-powered offense.  This clash of powers will make for a great game.  Usually the defense wins these "high-powered offense v stingy defense" battles, and I'll pick it that way, but the Hokies could pull off the upset.  CLEMSON

Indiana Hoosiers at #4 Penn State Nittany Lions:  You have to pity Indiana.  They have a great team, and yet their first two conference opponents are two of the toughest defensive powers in the conference (Ohio State in Week One and Penn State this week). And in two weeks, their third Big Ten opponent is Michigan, owners of perhaps the defense in the conference this year. The Hoosiers definitely deserve better than the 0-3 conference record they will start with.  PENN STATE

Northwestern Wildcats at #5 Wisconsin Badgers:  While you can never precisely predict the inconsistent Wildcats, Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium is a very favorable place for the Badgers, who rarely lose at home.  WISCONSIN

#7 Washington Huskies at Oregon State Beavers:  The Beavers usually upset at least one ranked team at home each season.  Maybe it'll happen later this season, as Washington seems to have too much firepower to be stopped.  Relatively ignored for the Heisman race, Jake Browning has been doing an amazing job recently.  Perhaps the media snub has inspired him, but he is playing better than last year.  WASHINGTON

#10 Georgia Bulldogs at Tennessee Volunteers: After what we saw last week, it's clear that Georgia is the top team in the SEC East.  This should be a fairly easy win.  GEORGIA

Miami Ohio Redhawks at #12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish: This one will be over by halftime, just like the Irish game was last week.  NOTRE DAME

#13 Ohio State Buckeyes at Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Another easy win for the Buckeyes.  They played second string for most of the second half last week, and that will likely happen again.  OHIO STATE

#14 Oklahoma State Cowboys at Texas Tech Red Raiders: Could the Cowboys lose two in a row?  Tech is inconsistent, but they can be very powerful when they choose to, and they might choose this game to excel.  I'll pick the Cowboys, because it's hard to count on Tech, but watch for a possible upset. OKLAHOMA STATE

Memphis Tigers at #15 UCF Golden Knights: A possible preview of the American Athletic Championship game?  Perhaps, although UCF (or someone) would need to get past South Florida.  The winner of this game certainly gets the inside track.  After last week, I have to think UCF has the better chance, but Memphis should keep it close.  UCF

#16 South Florida Bulls at East Carolina Pirates: And those conference leading Bulls get an easy game, especially since the Pirates haven't won a home game yet this season.  Keep searching, guys. SOUTH FLORIDA

#21 Mississippi State Bulldogs at #18 Auburn Tigers: The Bulldogs want a chance to redeem themselves after last week's rather embarrassing loss, but I don't think the Tiger defense will give them that chance.  If the Bulldogs can make good halftime adjustments, though, they might get enough offensive push to win in the fourth quarter.  AUBURN

#22 Navy Midshipmen at Tulsa Golden Hurricane: Navy gets an easy game, as Tulsa is struggling badly.  NAVY

Maryland Terrapins at #24 Minnesota Golden Gophers:  A collapse by Maryland last week allowed Minnesota to jump into the Top 25 during a bye week.  Now the Gophers get to prove that they deserve the spot.  Maryland's offense should reappear, although they may be slower due to some key injuries.  Just the advantage the Gophers will exploit.  MINNESOTA

#25 Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan State Spartans:  Despite an extra week of practice, the Spartans collapsed against Notre Dame.  Iowa has a good team this year, and if the Spartans can't regain their defensive dominance, they'll lose again.  IOWA

Vanderbilt Commodores at Florida Gators:  The Commodores REALLY need a good game to help remove the stain of a 59-0 shellacking at the hands of Alabama.  They should score some points in this game, but the Gators defense will make it tough.  FLORIDA